The Ayodele Fayose-led government in Ekiti State has resuscitated its State Export Promotion Committee as part of efforts at harnessing export potentials and boosting the economic base of the state.
The committee is made up of representatives of the Bankers Committee, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), the State Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture and National Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI).
Others are representatives of the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), NAFDAC, Nigeria Shippers Council (NSC), Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Development of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Association of Nigerian Exporters (ANE) as well as officials of the State Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Women Affairs and the Ministry of Information.
Addressing members of the committee during its inaugural meeting, the State Commissioner for Commerce, Industries and Cooperatives, Hon. Michael Ayodele reiterated the resolve of the Fayose administration to harness the potential income in the array of agricultural products and solid mineral available in the State towards reducing the prevailing over-dependence of the State on the monthly allocation from the Federal Accounts.
Hon. Ayodele said that the primary focus of the State Government is to sensitize the people to diversify from mere production of farm produce into products processing which he stressed would increase the value chain and generate more income on their products.
He added that the reconstituted committee has the mandate to advise the Council on how best to assist exporters, organize farmers and small scale industrialists into exporters cooperatives, identify exportable products and commodities in the State as well as advise exporters on supply sources, quality, standards and pricing.
Ayodele said the committee would also be expected to collaborate with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) to organize export awareness campaign and assist the national body on collection of information in addition to disseminating information on exportable products, export procedures, documentation, policy and export incentives.
Packaged by Omotoyosi Jesuleye
